Magnetically liftable foot positioning block for golfers



Sept. 27, 1966 J. K. HYDOCK 3,275,320

MAGNETICALLY LIFTABLE FOOT POSITIONING BLOCK FOR GOLFERS Filed Nov. 22, 1963 INVE OR. JOHN K. HYD K BY WW4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,275 320 MAGNETICALLY LIFTABiLE FOOT POSITIONING BLOCK FOR GOLFERS John K. Hydock, RD. 1, Byesville, Ohio Filed Nov. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 325,551 3 Claims. (Cl. 273-32) This invention relates generally to a device for improving or correcting a golfers manner of swinging a golf club so as to obtain greater accuracy and greater distance in driving a golf ball. More particularly, the invention relates to a block for properly positioning the right foot and leg during the swing.

Prior devices for improving a golf swing have included visual aids in lining up and orienting the swing, and slings and harnesses for the head, hands and arms. All of these devices of which I am aware are difficult or awkward to wear and adjust, and the results produced are substantially less than satisfactory.

Moreover, such devices overlook the important part that the right leg plays during the back swing and also immediately before and after impact between the club and the ball. At the top of the back swing the left knee is flexed and the weight of the body should be properly balanced on the right leg, and then during the forward swing the right knee is flexed to transfer the weight to the left leg at impact and during the follow-through. Experts agree that the average golfer tends to overswing at the top of the back swing, and this tendency causes body sway and a lack of balance, which inevitably produces inaccuracy and loss of power at impact.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel anchoring block which prevents body sway and overswinging at the top of the back swing.

Another object is to provide a novel anchoring block which automatically promotes proper downward conjoint rotation of the upper left arm and shoulder at the start of the down swing, and then brings the hands, hips and body together in proper sequence to flex the right knee and transfer the body weight to the left leg at impact.

A further object is to provide a novel anchoring block for the right foot, which accomplishes the foregoing objectives, and automatically delivers the club head at increased velocity at impact in an accurate direction relative to the line of flight.

A still further object is to provide a novel anchoring block which automatically keeps the hands, arms and hips in proper relation to the line of flight during the follow-through, resulting in a poised high finish at the end of the swing.

These and other objects are accomplished by the novel and improved anchoring block comprising the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which is shown and described herein by way of example and defined in the appended claims. Various modifications and changes in details of construction are comprehended within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a golfer using the novel anchor block at the top of the back svw'ng.

FIG. 2 is a similar view of a golfer using the novel anchor block during the downward swing.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the block in place on the ground and showing the golfers right foot positioned thereon.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the block looking at the inclined face thereof.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the novel block has a flat base 10 with preferably rounded ends 11. The top of the block is generally convexly rounded from the ends, as indicated at 12, and on one side 13, which may be termed the rear side. On the opposite or front side the block is provided with an inclined flat face 14. The block may be made of a variety of materials, such as wood, rubber and plastic. Preferably, the material is somewhat resilient so as to allow a persons golf spikes to slightly indent the block and anchor the golfers foot in position when standing thereon.

The angle of inclination of the face 14 may be approximately 45 to the base 10, but this angle may the varied somewhat in either direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the inclined face 14 intersects the convex surface of the rear side 13 at the top longitudinal edge 15 of the block, and intersects the front side of the block along an edge 16 near the base and parallel to the edge 15.

The base 10 is provided with a row of tapered spikes 17 for penetrating into the ground and anchoring the block in place, as shown in FIG. 3. The spikes may be three in number, as shown, and are aligned in a row longitudinally of the block parallel to the edges 15 and 16, preferably below the laterally central portion of the rear side 13 of the block.

A magnet 18 is embedded in the outer surface of the front side 14 of the block, preferably midway of the ends 12, with the upper surface of the magnet exposed and substantially flush with the block surface. Any well known type of permanent magnet may be used, a bar magnet being shown. The magnet may be retained in the block by an suitable means (not shown) such as an adhesive or a screw.

The purpose of the magnet is to enable the golfer to pick up the block without stooping over, merely by contacting the steel head of any of the golf irons and lifting it up to thelevel of the hands. The block is then easily disen gaged by sliding the magnet free of the club head, whereupon the block may be put in the golfers pocket or in a pocket in his golf bag until playing the next shot.

In using the novel lanchor block, the player takes his stance addressing the ball either on the tee or in the fairway, and then places the block under the right foot with the right side of the right shoe sole overlapping the inclined face 14, as shown in FIGS. 13, and with the longitudinal edges 15 and 16 at right angles to the intended line Olf flight of the ball. This tilts the right foot and causes a corresponding slight inward bend of the right knee.

As the golfer moves the club through the back swing to the top thereof, the tilt of the lower right leg and the inward bend of the right knee keeps the weight of the body properly balanced on the right leg, without allowing rearward swaying of the body and overswinging at the top of the back swing.

As shown in FIG. 1, at the top of the back swing, the golfers right knee is still slightly flexed inwardly, so that he is in properly balanced position, ready to start the down swing. Now as the golfer makes the down swing and approaches the point of impact between the club head and the ball, the weight of the body should be shifted to the left leg, as shown in FIG. 2. Because the right knee is maintained slightly flexed during the back swing and at the start of the down swing, the upper left arm and shoulder are properly rotated conjointly at the start of the down swing, and the body, hips and hands are moved together in proper sequence, causing the body weight to be naturally transferred to the left leg at the proper instant at point of impact and maintained in that position during the follow-through of the forward swing.

As a result of using the novel block, preventing body sway and overswinging during the back swing, and promoting transfer of the body weight to the left leg at the instant of impact, the club head strikes the ball with increase-d velocity and in an accurate direction relative to the intended line of flight.

What is claimed is:

1. An anchor block for positioning the right foot of a golfer while swinging a golf club, said block having a flat lbase, spikes projecting downwardly from the base for penetrating into the ground, an inclined upper face on one side of the block for tilting the overlapping foot of a golfer standing thereon, and a magnet embedded in the upper surf-ace of said block and having its upper surface exposed, said magnet having sufficient attracting power to permit the block to be lifted by means of a golf club having its metallic head in contact with said magnet.

- 2. An anchor block for positioning the right foot of a golfer while swinging a golf club, said block having a flat base, spikes projecting downwardly from the base for penetrating into the ground, a convexly rounded upper surface on one side of the block, a fiat face on the opposite side of the block inclined to the base and intersecting said rounded upper surface in a top edge extending longitudinally of said block, said inclined face adapted to tilt the foot of a golfer standing thereon, and a magnet embedded in said inclined face and having its upper surface exposed, said magnet having sufi'icient attracting power to permit the iblock to be lifted by means of a golf club having its metallic head in contact with said magnet.

3. An elongated block of substantially resilient material for positioning the right foot of a golfer while swinging a golf club, said block having a fiat base for resting on the ground, spikes projecting downwardly from said base for penetrating into the ground, a flat face extending longitudinally of said block on one side thereof inclined to the base and terminating in a longitudinal edge at the top of said block, said inclined face adapted to tilt the foot of a golfer standing thereon, the opposite side of said block intersecting said inclined face at said top edge, and a magnet embedded in the upper surface of said block and having its upper surface exposed, said magnet having sufficient attracting power to permit the block to be lifted by means of a golf club having its metallic head in contact with said magnet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,674,294 6/1928 ORourke 273l62 X 1,918,350 7/1933 Roos 273188 2,847,769 8/ 1958 Schlesinger.

2,992,512 7/1961 Pettit 46-242 3,195,891 7/1965 Rogers 27332 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

G. I. MARLO, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ANCHOR BLOCK FOR POSITIONING THE RIGHT FOOT OF A GOLFER WHILE SWINGING A GOLF CLUB, SAID BLOCK HAVING A FLAT BASE, SPIKES PROJECTING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE BASE FOR PENETRATING INTO THE GROUND, AN INCLINED UPPER FACE ON ONE SIDE OF THE BLOCK FOR TILTING THE OVERLAPPING FOOT OF A GOLFER STANDING THEREON, AND A MAGNET EMBEDDED IN THE 